TRENDING FOR ME: CHOCOLAT TOAST

...I can hardly believe how busy my week was.  Busy work weeks have the ability to sidelining my sewing plans completely if I'm not careful.  While watching this week's episode of Project Runway Junior (which I must say I've enjoyed much more than previous seasons), I did get a chance to cut out and start stitching my second Sew House 7 Toaster 2 Sweater.  I finally decided on using a deep brown french terry fabric that I felt would support the funnel neckline of the sweater.  I have to mention that the fabric was gifted by Ebony of The GlamDoll Esty Shop.
 

 

I call it Chocolat Toast because I thought the name was cute.

I pulled out my Janome coverstitch machine (which I so rarely use, and often think of as a waste of money because I actually use it so infrequently - last time was summer of 2015, but oh well what's done is done, and hindsight is so 20/20) for the hems this time around.  The coverstitched hems add a bit of sportyness to this warm toasty sweater, but as you know, I could have just as well gotten the same effect by just using a double needle on my sewing machine.

Will make the sweater again?  I'm sure I will maybe early next fall because it seems as though for me this winter is almost gone. And there's still the Toaster 1 that I didn't try yet.

So with this finished time to move on to yet another sewing adventure...

WHAT'S TRENDING FOR ME - PART 2...

...what attracts me to so many Independent patterns (besides the fact that so many of them are really cute) are particular details.

With the Toaster Sweater 2 the details that interested me most were the funnel neckline and the mitered side splits.   I've learned that I'm quite fond of the fit and look of a funnel neckline.  Additionally, I wanted to see just how they went about forming the mitered side splits.  Since I couldn't quite make up my mind on just what fabric to use for the sweater, I opted to make the pattern as a muslin first.  I know lots of people dislike taking the time to make muslins, but I actually make a lot of them.  That way if I don't like the style or the fit at least I haven't messed up the good stuff, and it gives me a chance to test drive a "new to me" pattern.  Besides, sometimes I just WANT TO SEW SOMETHING - right now!

I used this novelty print medium weight knit for the trial run.

I added 2 inches to the length of the pattern, but I will not make this length adjustment when I make it again. (Mmmmm this picture indicates that my inspiration board has gotten out of hand again.  Got to do some about that.)

  At first I thought it would be hard to do, but the four mitered corners turned out perfect.   I learned something new, so this might be a technique I could incorporate into other garments.

 What Independent patterns have you purchased or have an interest in????

WHAT'S TRENDING FOR ME...

...everyone talks about "WHAT'S TRENDING?", and it's so hard to keep up with it all!  With so many fashion designs floating around in my head, and it seems impossible for me to get enough sewing done.  Oh, I wish I could sew like the wind!  This morning I'm thinking about: "What's Trending for Me?".

In January I saw Sew House Seven Toaster sweaters floating all over the internet.  Some I liked and some not so much, but I do love the pattern's simple boxy features.  I really thought that I had talked myself out of it, but it kept popping up again and again.  If you are interested Sew House 7 is offering 25% off the Toaster Sweater pattern until midnight, Feb 6, 2017 using the code TOASTERROCKS.
 

I promise I searched my pattern stash and really couldn't come up with a similar design.  (Murphy's Law will dictate that after I've purchased someone will know of just the right stashed pattern I could have used.  If you know, please tell me about it below.)   This sweater is trending for me, so today I'm deep in the throes of PDF assembly.

Almost done!  I meant to time my assembly but forgot.  I'll let you know how it all turns out...

#BLOGLIKECRAZY DAY 14: A FASHIONABLE PALATE CLEANSER...

...when I saw Vogue 8789 made up by Venita at SewVeStyle, I had to give this pattern a whirl.

Pattern choice made - next it was time to choose the fabric.  Mind you, I do have some fabric in my stash that is not of the very best quality (thank goodness it's only a limited amount).  I'm sure that you know the type that makes you go "what in the world was I thinking".  I found that the fabric (a light weight sweater-y knit) I used for this project fell in that category.  I need to stay away from that so called "value table" at Hancock's.  But not wanting to waste the money spent on it,  I decided to use it to make test run on this pattern.

It's a great pattern (only 5 pieces).   It didn't turn out too bad for a wearable muslin made up in my daughter's size.  Feels so good to be able to finish a project in a day after coming off that 30 day coat adventure...